Sunoco to Offer “Beer Filling” Stations

By Blake Potolicchio |
July 18, 2011 |
0 Comments |

Burger King has flirted with beer offerings as well as Starbucks and Whole Foods, and now it’s time for Sunoco to test a pilot program called Craft Beer Exchange. At Sunoco’s APlus convenience stores, 600 of them located across 24 different states, Sunoco will install taps for customers to fill up and purchase growlers, typically 64 ounce glass jugs. Customers have the choice between 132 different microbrews.

The company will work closely with beer distributors to understand which local beers in various areas will be most popular. The program is currently being tested in 12 locations across Western New York in the Buffalo area. The area was selected because of a robust beer-drinking community and a strong microbrewery presence, not to mention the high concentration and larger sizes of their area’s APlus stores. To kick off the program Sunoco employees teamed up with the great folks at Flying Bison Brewery for training and preparation.

Sunoco has been charging between $7.99 - $16.99 per beer and giving away the first growler for free as long as you buy gas as well. Typically the growler would run you $3.99 and comes with an APlus logo on the back. You may be asking yourself how it is possible that someone can come into a gas station and fill up their beer and leave. Well, in New York State, as in most every state, open containers are illegal, so Sunoco has as sticker placed on the cap in order to seal the jug shut.

Another brewery that offers their beer other than the more popular Flying Bison Brewery is Syracuse's Middle Ages Brewing. Their Waling Wench is offered for $16.99. The most popular beer so far is Flying Bison’s Rusty Chain.

What other corporate partnerships may be on the horizon? We urge you to share with us your thoughts on how the existing businesses have been in fulfilling your expectations!

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